Handheld electronic device and keypad providing enhanced usability and reduced size, and associated method

ABSTRACT

An improved handheld electronic device, keypad, and method in accordance with the invention meet these and other needs. An improved handheld electronic device having an improved keypad provides enhanced usability and reduced size by organizing its keys in pairs, with a pair of keys being disposed on a support. Each key of a pair of keys is individually actuatable. An actuation of a key causes a primary conductor associated with the key set to electrically to connect a pair of contacts and to cause a secondary conductor associated with the key to electrically connect another pair of contacts. The primary conductor is a dome that is collapsible to electrically connect the pair of contacts and to provide a particular tactile feedback to the user. The secondary conductor is a conductor other than a collapsible dome. An actuation of any key or of any pair of keys thus provides to the user a consistent tactile feedback from a collapse of a single dome. An improved method in accordance with the invention is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to handheld electronic devices and, moreparticularly, to a keypad for a handheld electronic device.

2. Background Information

Numerous types of handheld electronic devices are known. Examples ofsuch handheld electronic devices include, for instance, personal dataassistants (PDAs), handheld computers, two-way pagers, cellulartelephones, and the like. Such handheld electronic devices are generallyintended to be portable and thus must be relatively small. Many handheldelectronic devices feature wireless communication capability, althoughmany such handheld electronic devices are stand-alone devices. Sincehandheld electronic devices typically are portable, it is also desiredthat the form factor of the devices be sufficiently small and ergonomicthat they can conveniently be transported with a belt clip, in a user'spocket, manually, or in a briefcase. Advancements in technology havepermitted the form factor of such handheld electronic devices to bereduced while increasing their versatility and functionality, such as byincreasing the number of functions provided by the device as well asincreasing the number of software applications and the variety of theirfeatures. However, as the form factor of a handheld electronic devicedecreases and the number of functions provided by the device increases,the device potentially can become awkward and difficult to use. Thus, itis also desirable to improve the usability of a handheld electronicdevice as its form factor is reduced and its versatility is increased.Previous attempts to increase such usability have had limitations.

One such type of solution has involved the use of large numbers of keyswhich, when pressed in various combinations, would produce variousfunctions. For instance, adjacent keys were depressed simultaneously toprovide additional functions. In mobile electronics, keys oftentimes areoperatively connected with metal or carbon coated poly domes that act asswitches for the keys and that are elastically collapsible and providetactile feedback to a user when the domes are collapsed from a relaxedposition to a deflected position. The simultaneous pressing of multiplekeys to provide a given function thus oftentimes can result in thecollapsing of multiple domes, which can result in a confusing and/orundesirable tactile feedback to a user. Other attempts at improvingusability have involved decreasing the quantity of keys on a handhelddevice while increasing the number of functions each key is to serve.Such systems potentially can become cumbersome because the variousfunctions of a given key may additionally require the pressing of aSHIFT key, an ALT key, or another key to provide the various functions.In such a circumstance, the required multiple key pushing requiresmultiple hand movements which can interfere with user friendliness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved handheld electronic device, keypad, and method in accordancewith the invention meet these and other needs. An improved handheldelectronic device having an improved keypad provides enhanced usabilityand reduced size by organizing its keys in pairs, with a pair of keysbeing disposed on a support. Each key of a pair of keys is individuallyactuatable. An actuation of a key causes a primary conductor associatedwith the key set to electrically to connect a pair of contacts and tocause a secondary conductor associated with the key to electricallyconnect another pair of contacts. The primary conductor is a dome thatis collapsible to electrically connect the pair of contacts and toprovide a particular tactile feedback to the user. The secondaryconductor is a conductor other than a collapsible dome. An actuation ofany key or of any pair of keys thus provides to the user a consistenttactile feedback from a collapse of a single dome. An improved method inaccordance with the invention is also disclosed.

Accordingly, an aspect of the invention is to provide an improvedhandheld electronic device, an improved keypad, and an improved methodthat provide enhanced usability.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved handheldelectronic device and an improved keypad having keys that are organizedin pairs to enable the keypad to have a reduced overall size.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved handheldelectronic device and an improved keypad that provide both collapsibledomes (or alternative switches providing tactile feedback) andconductive carbon elements (or alternative switches generally notproviding tactile feedback), with a collapsing of a dome providing atactile feedback to the user.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved method ofenabling input into a handheld electronic device wherein keys of thehandheld electronic device have linguistic elements assigned thereto andwherein pairs of keys also have linguistic elements assigned thereto,with the improved method providing a plurality of modes for detectinginput from the keys.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved handhelddevice and an improved keypad that enables a small form factor whilestill providing enhanced usability or user friendliness.

Accordingly, an aspect of the invention is to provide an improved keypadthat is structured to be incorporated into a handheld electronic device.The general nature of the keypad can be stated as including a contactapparatus, a button apparatus, a primary conductor portion, and asecondary conductor portion. The contact apparatus includes a pluralityof electrical contacts. The button apparatus includes a number of keysets. Each key set of at least a portion of the number of key setsincludes a pair of keys and a support, with the pair of keys beingdisposed on the support. The primary conductor portion includes a numberof primary conductors that are elastically deflectable between a relaxedposition and a deflected position. Each primary conductor of at least aportion of the number of primary conductors in the deflected positionelectrically connects together a pair of electrical contacts of theplurality of electrical contacts. The secondary conductor portionincludes a number of secondary conductors that are movable between afirst position and a second position. Each secondary conductor of atleast a portion of the number of secondary conductors in the secondposition electrically connects together a pair of electrical contacts ofthe plurality of electrical contacts. The pair of keys includes a firstkey and a second key, with the first key being movable between anunactuated position and an actuated position, and with the second keybeing movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position. Aprimary conductor which corresponds with the key set is in the deflectedposition when the first key is in the actuated position. A firstsecondary conductor which corresponds with the first key is in thesecond position when the first key is in the actuated position. Theprimary conductor which corresponds with the key set is in the deflectedposition when the second key is in the actuated position. A secondsecondary conductor which corresponds with the second key is in thesecond position when the second key is in the actuated position.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved handheldelectronic device, the general nature of which can be stated asincluding a processor apparatus, an input apparatus, and an outputapparatus. The processor apparatus includes a processor and a memory.The input apparatus includes a keypad and is cooperable with theprocessor apparatus to provide input to the processor apparatus. Theoutput apparatus is cooperable with the processor apparatus to receivesignals from the processor apparatus and to provide output. The keypadincludes a contact apparatus, a button apparatus, a primary conductorportion, and a secondary conductor portion. The contact apparatusincludes a plurality of electrical contacts. The button apparatusincludes a number of key sets. Each key set of at least a portion of thenumber of key sets includes a pair of keys and a support, with the pairof keys being disposed on the support. The primary conductor portionincludes a number of primary conductors that are elastically deflectablebetween a relaxed position and a deflected position. Each primaryconductor of at least a portion of the number of primary conductors inthe deflected position electrically connects together a pair ofelectrical contacts of the plurality of electrical contacts. Thesecondary conductor portion includes a number of secondary conductorsthat are movable between a first position and a second position. Eachsecondary conductor of at least a portion of the number of secondaryconductors in the second position electrically connects together a pairof electrical contacts of the plurality of electrical contacts. The pairof keys includes a first key and a second key, with the first key beingmovable between an unactuated position and an actuated position, andwith the second key being movable between an unactuated position and anactuated position. A primary conductor which corresponds with the keyset is in the deflected position when the first key is in the actuatedposition. A first secondary conductor which corresponds with the firstkey is in the second position when the first key is in the actuatedposition. The primary conductor which corresponds with the key set is inthe deflected position when the second key is in the actuated position.A second secondary conductor which corresponds with the second key is inthe second position when the second key is in the actuated position.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved method ofenabling input into a handheld electronic device. The handheldelectronic device is of a type that includes an input apparatus having apair of keys, with the pair of keys including a first key having a firstlinguistic element assigned thereto and a second key having a secondlinguistic element assigned thereto, and with the pair of keys having athird linguistic element assigned thereto. The handheld electronicdevice is operable in at least a first input mode and a second inputmode. The general nature of the method can be stated as includingdetecting in the first input mode at least one of i) an actuation of thefirst key as being an input of the first linguistic element; and ii) anactuation of the second key as being an input of the second linguisticelement. The method further includes detecting in the second input modean actuation of the first key as being an input of the third linguisticelement and an actuation of the second key as being an input of thethird linguistic element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the followingDescription of the Preferred Embodiment when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an improved handheld electronic device inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an improved keypad in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the keypad of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view as taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a printed circuit board of the keypad ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4 and depicts each of afirst key and a second key of a pair of keys in an unactuated position;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, except depicting the first key in anactuated position; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6, except depicting the second key inan actuated position.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the specification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An improved handheld electronic device 4 in accordance with theinvention is depicted schematically in FIG. 1. The handheld electronicdevice 4 includes an improved keypad 8 in accordance with the inventionthat is depicted, in whole or in part, in FIGS. 2-8. The handheldelectronic device 4 and the keypad 8 advantageously are configured to beof a relatively small size while providing enhanced usability, forexample, in accordance with an improved method in accordance with theinvention, as will be set forth more fully below.

The handheld electronic device 4 includes an input apparatus 6, aprocessor apparatus 10, a housing 12, and an output apparatus 14. Theinput apparatus 6 includes the keypad 8. The output apparatus 14includes a display 16. The keypad 8 and the display 16 are disposed onthe housing 12.

The processor apparatus 10 includes a suitable processor 18 such as,without limitation, a microprocessor (μP). The processor apparatus 10further includes a memory 20 having a number of routines 22 storedtherein that are executable on the processor 18. The routines 22executed on the processor 18 provide functionality to inputs receivedfrom the keypad 8 and provide outputs to the display 16. The memory 20can be any of a variety of storage devices and may include one or moreof, for example and without limitation. RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and/orother appropriate storage device. Examples of handheld electronicdevices are included in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,452,588 and 6,489,950, whichare incorporated by reference herein.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the exemplary keypad 8 includes a plurality ofkeys 60. Many of the keys 60 have a linguistic element 24 assignedthereto. As employed herein, the expression “linguistic element” andvariations thereof shall refer broadly to any type of character,ideogram, numerical reference, and/or other symbol that can be employedto provide linguistic expression, and can expressly include portions ofthe same such as strokes and the like without limitation. Many of thekeys 60 are organized in pairs 32 of keys 60. A pair 32 of adjacent keys60 can have an alternate linguistic element 28 assigned thereto. As willbe set forth in greater detail below, the handheld electronic device 4and the method of the invention allow input in a plurality of inputmodes. Depending upon which input mode is active on the handheldelectronic device 4, an actuation of a key 60 can cause an input of thelinguistic element 24 assigned to the actuated key 60 or can cause aninput of the alternate linguistic element 28 assigned to the key 60 andto the key 60 adjacent thereto which form a pair 32.

As can be understood from FIGS. 3-4 and 6-8, the keypad 8 includes abutton apparatus 40, a primary conductor portion 44 (FIGS. 6-8), asecondary conductor portion 48 (FIGS. 4 and 6-8), and a contactapparatus in the form of a printed circuit board 56. It is noted thatthe primary conductor portion is not expressly depicted in FIG. 3 forpurposes of clarity. The button apparatus 40 includes a number of keysets 36, a number of bridging members 38 extending between some of thekey sets 36, and a flexible mount 66. As employed herein, the expressionof “a number of” and variations thereof shall refer broadly to anynonzero quantity, including a quantity of one.

The key sets 36 each generally include a pair 32 of the keys 60, asupport 64, and an actuator 70. In the exemplary embodiment depictedherein, the support 64 is disposed between the keys 60 of the pair 32,and the actuator 70 is disposed generally adjacent the support 64. Asmall gap 42 is provided between the keys 60 adjacent the support 64,i.e., the support 64 terminates at the gap 42. The gap 42 provides asmall space 120 between the keys 60 of the key set 36 to provide to theuser a visual and tactile differentiation between the two adjacent keys60. The support 64 serves to connect together the keys 60 of a pair ofkeys 32.

The flexible mount 66 is disposed generally between the keys 60 and theprinted circuit board 56. The exemplary mount 66 depicted hereinincludes a plurality of downwardly-depending legs 46 that are engageablewith the printed circuit board 56.

The actuators 70 in the present exemplary embodiment are formed on thesupports 64 and may extend across at least a portion of one or more ofthe keys 60 of the key set 36. In the present exemplary embodiment, theactuators 70 extend through openings 84 formed in the flexible mount 66.It is noted that in other embodiments the actuators 70 may be formed asa part of the flexible mount 66 without departing from the concept ofthe invention. The exemplary flexible mount 66 is formed of a flexiblesilicone compound but could be made of other materials without departingfrom the concept of the invention.

The primary conductor portion 44 (FIGS. 6-8) includes a plurality ofconductive domes 68 which, in the present exemplary embodiment, aredisposed on the printed circuit board 56. The domes 68 are elasticallydeflectable between a relaxed position, i.e., FIG. 6, and a deflectedposition, i.e., FIGS. 7-8. The movement of the domes 68 between therelaxed and deflected positions occurs via elastic deformation of thedomes 68 and causes the domes to “snap” between the relaxed anddeflected positions to provide a desirable tactile feedback to the user.

The domes 68 in the deflected position connect together a set of primarycontacts 96, such as are depicted in FIG. 5, to complete an electricalcircuit therebetween. The exemplary sets of primary contacts 96 eachinclude a ball contact 104 and a ring contact 108 that areconcentrically disposed on the printed circuit board 56. When a dome 68is in the relaxed position, its circular edge, i.e., the portion of thedome 68 opposite the proud portion thereof, is disposed on the ringcontact 108 of the associated set of primary contacts 96. When the dome68 is in the deflected position, its previously proud portion engagesthe ball contact 98 of the associated pair of primary contacts 96 tocomplete an electrical circuit therebetween to provide an input that canbe detected by the processor 18. The domes 68 may be made in whole or inpart of metal or another electrical conductor.

The secondary conductor portion 48 includes a plurality of carbon pills76 which, in the present exemplary embodiment, are disposed on theflexible mount 66. The carbon pills 76 are small members that are formedof or are coated with an electrically conductive carbon material. Thecarbon pills 76 can be, for instance, adhered or otherwise mounted tothe flexible mount 66. Similarly, the flexible mount 66 could be formed,i.e., cured, in physical contact with the carbon pills 76, whereby theflexible mount 66 could be formed to the carbon pills 76 to retain thecarbon pills 76 thereon. Other configurations are possible. It is alsonoted that the carbon pills 76 could be disposed on the keys 60themselves without departing from the concept of the invention.

Each carbon pill 76 is movable between a first position, i.e., FIG. 6,and a second position, as is variously depicted in FIGS. 7-8. In thesecond position, a carbon pill 76 electrically connects together anassociated set of secondary contacts 100, such as are depicted generallyin FIG. 5. The sets of secondary contacts 100 are of an “intermeshedcomb” configuration that includes a first comb contact 112 and a secondcomb contact 116 having a number of fingers that are adjacent or areintermeshed. When a carbon pill 76 engages a set of secondary contacts100, it completes an electrical circuit between the first comb contact112 and the second comb contact 116 to provide an input that can bedetected by the processor 18.

It is understood that the domes 68 and the carbon pills 76 can be saidto serve as switches for the keys 60. The domes provide a tactilefeedback in being elastically deformed between the relaxed and deflectedpositions. The carbon pills 76 moving between the first and secondpositions to engage the secondary contacts 100 generally do not provideany tactile feedback apart from the resistance provided by elasticdeformation of the flexible mount 66 which, in any event, is not thesame as the tactile feedback provided by the domes 68.

Each key 60 has an associated carbon pill 76 that is associatedtherewith and that is moved between its first and second positions whenthe key 60 is actuated. Each key set 36 has an associated dome 68associated therewith that is elastically deflectable between the relaxedand deflected positions upon an actuation of a key 60 of theaforementioned key set 36. Each key 60 of a key set 36 thus also hasassociated therewith the same associated dome 68.

An exemplary embodiment of a key set 36 having a pair 32 of keys 60 isdepicted in FIGS. 6-8. The pair 32 of keys 60 includes a first key 60′,a second key 60″, and a support 64 25 disposed therebetween. The key set36 also includes an associated actuator 70 that can be said to beassociated with the support 64 and the keys 60′ and 60″ and that isengaged with the proud portion of an associated dome 68. A first carbonpill 76′ is associated with first key 60′, and a second carbon pills 76″is associated with the second key 60″. In FIG. 6, the first and secondkeys 60′ and 60″ are each in an unactuated position, whereby the dome 68is in the relaxed position and the first and second carbon pills 76′ and76″ are each in the first position.

In FIG. 7, the first key 60′ has been actuated and thus has been movedfrom its unactuated position to an actuated position. When the first key60′ is in the actuated position, the dome 68 has been elasticallydeformed by the actuator 70 to the deflected position, thereby providingto the user the tactile feedback associated with such movement of thedome 68. Actuation of the first key 60′ also elastically deflects orflexes the mount 66 which moves the first carbon pill 76′ from the firstposition to the second position. As such, the dome 68 has electricallyconnected together the associated set of primary contacts 96, and thefirst carbon pill 76′ has electrically connected together the associatedset of secondary contacts 100. The completion of a circuit that includesthe aforementioned set of primary contacts 96 and the completion of thecircuit that includes the aforementioned set of secondary contacts 100each provide an input that can be detected by the processor 18. Uponreleasing the first key 60′, the elastic energy stored in the dome 68 inthe deflected position and the mount 66 in the flexed condition causethe first key 60′ to rebound to its unactuated position, as is depictedgenerally in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 8, the second key 60″ is depicted as having been actuated fromits unactuated position to an actuated position. The dome 68 is in thedeflected position, and the second carbon pill 76″ is in a secondposition where it electrically connects together another set ofsecondary contacts 100.

In actuating the first key 60′ or the second key 60″, the support 64pivots slightly and is translated slightly toward the printed circuitboard 56, the dome 68 moves between the relaxed position and thedeflected position, and either the first carbon pill 76′ or secondcarbon pill 76″ is moved from its first position to its second position.Despite the first and second keys 60″ and 60″ each being disposed on acommon support 64, the first and second keys 60′ and 60″ can be actuatedindependently of one another.

By arranging the keys 60 in the pairs 32, the keypad 68 canadvantageously have an overall size that is relatively smaller thanother keypads. In this regard, it can be seen that the keys 60 of anypair 32 have the space 120 therebetween that is of a certain width, suchas might be measured in the horizontal plane from the perspective ofFIG. 4. A given key set 36 is spaced from an adjacent key set 36 by whatmay be called a pitch space 124 therebetween, such as might be measuredin the same plane as the space 120. It can be seen that at least some ofthe spaces 120 are relatively smaller than at least some of the pitchspaces 124. The keys 60 in any given pair 32 are, however, clearlyspaced apart from one another and thus are individually identifiable bya user. The tighter spacing between certain of the keys 60, i.e.,between the keys 60 in any given pair 32, than between other keys 60,i.e., a key 60 from a given pair 32 and an adjacent key 60 in anadjacent pair 32, enables the keypad 8 to have an overall relativelysmaller configuration than if all of the keys 60 were spaced the samedistance apart. In the present exemplary embodiment, the differentialsize between the space 120 and the pitch space 124 allows the keypad 8to be relatively narrow, as can be measured in a plane correspondingwith the horizontal direction in FIG. 4. Other arrangements of the keys60 could provide relatively smaller overall dimensions in otherdirections in a fashion that would be within the scope of the invention.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the routines 22 includean input routine that provides to the handheld electronic device 4 aplurality of input modes. The input modes could be, for example andwithout limitation, a text input mode, a telephone mode, a numeric mode,and/or other input mode. An actuation of any given key 60 could providean input to the processor 18 that could be detected by the processor 18as being a number of different inputs depending upon which of the inputmodes is currently active on the handheld electronic device 4. In theexemplary keypad 8 depicted generally in FIG. 2, many of the keys 60have assigned thereto a linguistic element 24 which, in the presentexample, may be a Roman letter. Moreover, many of the pairs 32 of keys60 have assigned thereto an alternate linguistic element 28 in the formof, for example, an Arabic numeral, i.e., a digit. The alternatelinguistic elements 28 are arranged on the keypad 8 in the form of atouch-tone keypad that additionally provides an asterisk, i.e., *,assigned to one of the keys 60 and a number symbol or pound sign, i.e.,#, assigned to another key 60 at locations corresponding with those of aconventional touch-tone layout.

If, for example, the text input mode is active on the handheldelectronic device 4, an actuation of a key 60 having a linguisticelement 24 assigned thereto such as in the nature of a Roman letter willresult in an input to the processor 18 that is detected by the processor18 as being the linguistic element 24. On the other hand, if thetelephone input mode or the numeric input mode, for example and withoutlimitation, is active on the handheld electronic device 4, an actuationof a key 60 that is part of a pair 32 having assigned thereto analternate linguistic element 28 in the form of, for example, an Arabicnumeral will provide an input to the processor 18 that is detected bythe processor 18 as being the alternate linguistic element 28. Such adetection will occur despite the actuated key 60 itself also havingassigned thereto a linguistic element 24 in the nature of a Romanletter. When the handheld electronic device 4 is in the telephone inputmode or the numeric input mode, for example and without limitation, anactuation of either or both of the keys 60 in any given pair 32 to whichan alternate linguistic element 28 has been assigned will result in aninput to the processor 18 that is detected by the processor 18 as beingthe alternate linguistic element 28. It is understood that other typesof input modes can be employed and/or other types of linguistic elementscan be assigned to the keys 60 and/or the pairs 32 without departingfrom the concept of the invention.

The handheld electronic device 4 thus advantageously is configured to beof a relatively small size and to have enhanced functionality that isprovided, for example, by the method of the invention. The method of theinvention provides enhanced functionality by, in addition to allowing aninput of a linguistic element 24 assigned to a key 60 by actuating thekey 60, also providing for the entry of alternate linguistic elements 28that are assigned to pairs 32 of the keys 60. When an input mode of thetype that detects actuations of keys 60 as being inputs of suchalternate linguistic elements 28 is active on the handheld electronicdevice 4, an actuation of either of the keys 60 of a given pair 32 willresult in an input of the alternate linguistic element 28 assigned tothe pair 32. As such, a user desiring to enter such an alternatelinguistic element 28 can press either or both of the keys 60 in thepair 32, which facilitates rapid entry of such inputs. Such entry can berapid because, for instance, the user can press either or both of suchkeys 60 without a concern of specifically pressing one key 60 or theother key 60. This advantageously also allows a user to pay relativelyless attention when providing certain inputs than would be the case ifthe user were required to actuate only a particular key 60. Moreover,regardless of which key 60 of a pair 32 a user actuates, or if a useractuates both keys 60 simultaneously, the user will receive a desirableand consistent tactile feedback in the nature of a collapse of a singledome 68.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, theparticular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only andnot limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given thefull breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

1. A keypad structured to be incorporated into a handheld electronicdevice, the keypad comprising: a contact apparatus comprising aplurality of electrical contacts; a button apparatus comprising a numberof key sets, each key set of at least a portion of the number of keysets comprising a pair of keys and a support, the pair of keys beingdisposed on the support; a primary conductor portion comprising a numberof primary conductors that are elastically deflectable between a relaxedposition and a deflected position, each primary conductor of at least aportion of the number of primary conductors in the deflected positionelectrically connecting together a pair of electrical contacts of theplurality of electrical contacts; a secondary conductor portioncomprising a number of secondary conductors that are movable between afirst position and a second position, each secondary conductor of atleast a portion of the number of secondary conductors in the secondposition electrically connecting together a pair of electrical contactsof the plurality of electrical contacts; the pair of keys comprising afirst key and a second key, the first key being movable between anunactuated position and an actuated position, the second key beingmovable between an unactuated position and an actuated position; aprimary conductor of the number of primary conductors which correspondswith the key set being in the deflected position when the first key isin the actuated position; a first secondary conductor of the at least aportion of the number of secondary conductors which corresponds with thefirst key being in the second position when the first key is in theactuated position; the primary conductor which corresponds with the keyset being in the deflected position when the second key is in theactuated position; and a second secondary conductor of the at least aportion of the number of secondary conductors which corresponds with thesecond key being in the second position when the second key is in theactuated position.
 2. The keypad of claim 1 wherein the contactapparatus includes a printed circuit board, wherein the primaryconductors and the secondary conductors are disposed generally betweenthe printed circuit board and the keys, and wherein the support of a keyset is disposed generally between the pair of keys of the key set. 3.The keypad of claim 1 wherein the secondary conductors are conductivecarbon elements movable by the key sets into conductive contact with theelectrical contacts.
 4. The keypad of claim 3 wherein the buttonapparatus includes a flexible mount, at least a portion of the key setsof the number of key sets being disposed on the mount, and at least aportion of the secondary conductors of the number of secondaryconductors being disposed on the mount, the mount being structured to beflexed when at least one of a first key and a second key of a key set ofthe at least a portion of the key sets is actuated.
 5. The keypad ofclaim 1 wherein the first key has a first linguistic element assignedthereto, wherein the second key has a second linguistic element assignedthereto, and wherein the key set has a third linguistic element assignedthereto.
 6. The keypad of claim 1 wherein a key set of the number of keysets is disposed adjacent another key set of the number of key sets, theanother key set comprising another support and another pair of keyscomprising another first key and another second key, the support betweenthe first key and the second key providing a space between the first keyand the second key, the another support between the another first keyand the another second key providing another space between the anotherfirst key and the another second key, the key set and the another keyset having a pitch space therebetween, the space and the another spacebeing smaller than the pitch space.
 7. The keypad of claim 1 wherein thebutton apparatus includes a number of actuators, each key set of atleast a portion of the number of key sets having associated therewith anassociated actuator of the number of actuators which extends away fromthe key set in a direction generally toward the contact apparatus andwhich is engageable with an associated primary conductor of the numberof primary conductors to move the associated primary conductor betweenthe relaxed position and the deflected position.
 8. The keypad of claim7 wherein the button apparatus includes a flexible mount disposedgenerally between the contact apparatus and at least a portion of thekey sets of the number of key sets, and wherein at least a portion ofthe associated actuators are each one of a protrusion formed on theflexible mount and a protrusion that is formed on a key set of thenumber of key sets and that extends through an opening formed in theflexible mount.
 9. The keypad of claim 7 wherein at least a portion ofthe associated actuators are each disposed generally adjacent thesupport of the key set.
 10. The keypad of claim 1 wherein the firstsecondary conductor is disposed generally between the first key and thecontact apparatus, and wherein the second secondary conductor isdisposed generally between the second key and the contact apparatus. 11.A handheld electronic device comprising: a processor apparatuscomprising a processor and a memory; an input apparatus comprising akeypad, the input apparatus being cooperable with the processorapparatus to provide input to the processor apparatus; and an outputapparatus cooperable with the processor apparatus to receive signalsfrom the processor apparatus and to provide output; the keypadcomprising a contact apparatus, a button apparatus, a primary conductorportion, and a secondary conductor portion; the a contact apparatuscomprising a plurality of electrical contacts: the button apparatuscomprising a number of key sets, each key set of at least a portion ofthe number of key sets comprising a pair of keys and a support, the pairof keys being disposed on the support; the primary conductor portioncomprising a number of primary conductors that are elasticallydeflectable between a relaxed position and a deflected position, eachprimary conductor of at least a portion of the number of primaryconductors in the deflected position electrically connecting together apair of electrical contacts of the plurality of electrical contacts; thesecondary conductor portion comprising a number of secondary conductorsthat are movable between a first position and a second position, eachsecondary conductor of at least a portion of the number of secondaryconductors in the second position electrically connecting together apair of electrical contacts of the plurality of electrical contacts; thepair of keys comprising a first key and a second key, the first keybeing movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position,the second key being movable between an unactuated position and anactuated position; a primary conductor of the number of primaryconductors which corresponds with the key set being in the deflectedposition when the first key is in the actuated position; a firstsecondary conductor of the at least a portion of the number of secondaryconductors which corresponds with the first key being in the secondposition when the first key is in the actuated position; the primaryconductor which corresponds with the key set being in the deflectedposition when the second key is in the actuated position; and a secondsecondary conductor of the at least a portion of the number of secondaryconductors which corresponds with the second key being in the secondposition when the second key is in the actuated position.
 12. Thehandheld electronic device of claim 11 wherein the contact apparatusincludes a printed circuit board, wherein the primary conductors and thesecondary conductors are disposed generally between the printed circuitboard and the keys, and wherein the support of a key set is disposedgenerally between the pair of keys of the key set.
 13. The handheldelectronic device of claim 11 wherein the secondary conductors areconductive carbon elements movable by the key sets into conductivecontact with the electrical contacts.
 14. The handheld electronic deviceof claim 13 wherein the button apparatus includes a flexible mount, atleast a portion of the key sets of the number of key sets being disposedon the mount, and at least a portion of the secondary conductors of thenumber of secondary conductors being disposed on the mount, the mountbeing structured to be flexed when at least one of a first key and asecond key of a key set of the at least a portion of the key sets isactuated.
 15. The handheld electronic device of claim 11 wherein thefirst key has a first linguistic element assigned thereto, wherein thesecond key has a second linguistic element assigned thereto, and whereinthe key set has a third linguistic element assigned thereto.
 16. Thehandheld electronic device of claim 15 wherein the memory includes anumber of routines stored therein, at least one of the routines beingexecutable on the processor to provide to the processor a plurality ofinput modes, the plurality of input modes including a first input modeand a second input mode, the processor in the first input mode beingadapted to detect an actuation of the first key as an input of the firstlinguistic element and to detect an actuation of the second key as aninput of the second linguistic element, the processor in the secondinput mode being adapted to detect an actuation of the first key as aninput of the third linguistic element and to detect an actuation of thesecond key as an input of the third linguistic element.
 17. The handheldelectronic device of claim 11 wherein a key set of the number of keysets is disposed adjacent another key set of the number of key sets, theanother key set comprising another support and another pair of keyscomprising another first key and another second key, the support betweenthe first key and the second key providing a space between the first keyand the second key, the another support between the another first keyand the another second key providing another space between the anotherfirst key and the another second key, the key set and the another keyset having a pitch space therebetween, the space and the another spacebeing smaller than the pitch space.
 18. The handheld electronic deviceof claim 11 wherein the button apparatus includes a number of actuators,each key set of at least a portion of the number of key sets havingassociated therewith an associated actuator of the number of actuatorswhich extends away from the key set in a direction generally toward thecontact apparatus and which is engageable with an associated primaryconductor of the number of primary conductors to move the associatedprimary conductor between the relaxed position and the deflectedposition.
 19. The handheld electronic device of claim 18 wherein thebutton apparatus includes a flexible mount disposed generally betweenthe contact apparatus and at least a portion of the key sets of thenumber of key sets, and wherein at least a portion of the associatedactuators are each one of a protrusion formed on the flexible mount anda protrusion that is formed on a key set of the number of key sets andthat extends through an opening formed in the flexible mount.
 20. Thehandheld electronic device of claim 18 wherein at least a portion of theassociated actuators are each disposed generally adjacent the support ofthe key set.
 21. The handheld electronic device of claim 11 wherein thefirst secondary conductor is disposed generally between the first keyand the contact apparatus, and wherein the second secondary conductor isdisposed generally between the second key and the contact apparatus. 22.A method of enabling input into a handheld electronic device of a typethat includes an input apparatus having a pair of keys, the pair of keysincluding a first key having a first linguistic element assigned theretoand a second key having a second linguistic element assigned thereto,the pair of keys having a third linguistic element assigned thereto, thehandheld electronic device being operable in at least a first input modeand a second input mode, the method comprising: detecting in the firstinput mode at least one of: an actuation of the first key as being aninput of the first linguistic element; and an actuation of the secondkey as being an input of the second linguistic element; and detecting inthe second input mode an actuation of the first key as being an input ofthe third linguistic element and an actuation of the second key as beingan input of the third linguistic element.
 23. The method of claim 22wherein said detecting in the first input mode includes detecting in atext mode, and wherein said detecting in the second input mode includesat least one of detecting in a telephone mode and detecting in a numericmode.